2nd Lt Richard Annand VC (deceased)

Originally in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, he was commissioned in the Durham Light Infantry in 1938. On 15th May 1940 during the invasion of Belgium, he became the recipient of the first Victoria Cross awarded to a member of the British Army in World War Two. With Germans trying to repair a blown bridge where his platoon was stationed, he took grenades in the face of enemy machine gun fire across open ground to attack the party of Germans at the bridge, causing many casualties. Another attempt was made by the German later that day, and again he attacked with grenades, and again caused heavy casualties. The platoon was ordered to retreat from the position, but it was realised that Annand's batman, Private Hunter, had been wounded and left behind during the retreat. Annand returned and rescued Hunter, using a wheelbarrow to evacuate him, but was wounded and lost consciousness. Ultimately, Hunter was captured by the enemy and died of his wounds and Annand was returned to England to recover, returning as an instructor for most of the rest of the war. He died on 24th December 2004.

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